Chapter 3: Enter: The Wind Demoness

"How do you know my name, Sesshomaru?" I demanded.

He pointed his finger at the mark on my forehead, "It's obvious from what tribe you come from, and considering how you're dressed." He turned around so that his back was facing me. "I could smell something, but it's gone now. So, I will take my leave." He started walking away. I was in disbelief. What was it that he smelled that made him come here? I shook my head and relaxed my body. Once Sesshomaru was out of sight I turned around and took one last glance at my village before leaving.

It was time to start my journey. I ran into the woods as fast as I could. The faster I found Inuyasha, the faster I can get Suki back. As I was running, I kept getting flashes of Sesshomaru's face. Why is his face imprinted on my mind? I closed my eyes and shook the image out of my head. Stay focused, Kasumi. Stay focused.

Meanwhile in Naraku's castle, a woman walked inside the room he was sitting in. She wore a green hanjuban under a white kimono that had diagonal, long, magenta rectangles on it and a yellow soft obi that had thin black stripes that went diagonally in both directions creating a checkered look. Her eyes were blood red, along with her lips. She has green, beaded earrings in her ears, and black hair that was tied into a bun with two feathers being held there. "Naraku" She spoke.

"Yes, Kagura?" Naraku questioned.

"I put the small child in the room with a barrier. Only you and I will be able to enter and exit." She stated.

Naraku looked up at her from the ground. "Good, now I want to test Kasumi's strength. Go find her. Do as you please, but do not kill her. Once you have tested her strength, watch her from afar, and then report back to me once she meets up with Inuyasha."

Kagura nodded. She walked outside, took one of the feathers out of her hair, and threw it. The feather grew tremendously. She jumped on top of it and it carried her away through the skies.

I made it to the next village before it got dark out. This village was very similar to that of my last one, but much bigger. I narrowed my ears down so that no one would be frightened, then proceeded inside the village. Most of the humans paid me no mind. I walked up to the hut that looked more like a house, it was towards the back of the village. This must be where the head of this village stays. What a luxury. I rolled my eyes and knocked on the door with the back of my fingers. An elderly man opened the door and looked at me with kind eyes. I bowed, "Good evening sir, I ask if I could stay here for the night. I wish to cause no harm, only to find shelter."

"Well young lady, I will let you stay here, if you do something for me" he smiled.

"Yes'sir. What is it?" I straightened up and looked at him questioningly. He moved to the right to reveal an opening. I walked inside and widened my eyes, my jaw dropped. "Eh?!"

He chuckled, "if you could tidy up my house, I will provide you shelter and food."

The corners of my lips twitched, then I regained my composure and bowed to him. "It will be done. I thank you kindly."

It took me a couple of hours, but I finally finished cleaning his house. He did as he promised and provided me with food. I was sitting with him as we ate. There were bowls of rice, grilled fish, and other small side items. "So, are you the only one who stays here?" I asked.

He shook his head, "my daughter is out. She should be returning in a few days' time. So, it is nice to have the company." He started eating on a bowl of rice. "What brings you to this village? A dog demon such as yourself-"

My ears perked, and I shot up my eyes quickly in his direction. "H-how did you know about my ears?"

He chuckled, "well my dear," he pointed to the markings on my forehead. "I know of your family."

"It seems most people and demons alike, do. Our family used to be a secret, but now it seems everyone knows of us." I looked down and set my bowl on the floor. "If you knew I was a demon, why did you allow me to stay?"

"Young lady, this village welcomes demons, as long as they don't have a dark aura to them. There is a barrier around this village that keeps evil demons out."

"Huh?!" I gasped. How did I not notice the barrier? I clenched my teeth together. It must be because I was so distracted thinking about Sesshomaru that I just walked inside of this village without paying much attention. I nodded. "I see." I paused for a few minutes. "Tell me, how did you come to find out of my family?" I looked back up at the old man. Curiosity was coursing through me.

"When you and your sister ran away, your father was very angry. He started searching everywhere. He went to every village trying to find the two of you. He described the both of you with great detail." He grew silent, "wait, where is your sister?"

I frowned. A sudden feeling of distraught loomed over me. "She got taken from me." I said lowly, looking down.

He could tell that I was upset, and did not want to talk about how Suki is missing any further. He changed the subject, even though it was not much of a change, "May I ask young girl, why did you take her and run from your family?"

I immediately stood up and with a stern voice I said, "Excuse me, but that is not your concern." I turned and walked out of the room we were eating in. I walked outside and noticed it grew dark. I jumped to the roof of his house and laid down on my back. I stared up at the sky. It was beautiful. The moon was in crescent form tonight. It's going to be a new moon tomorrow. I should probably rest now. I have yet another long day ahead of me.

I jumped back down to the ground and walked inside. I saw the old man in his living room, staring out of a window. I walked over to him. "Would you mind showing me to my room?"

He turned around and smiled at me. "That is no problem." He walked ahead of me and I followed.

"What is your name? I have not yet asked you." I asked him.

"Genzo." He stated.

"I assume you know my name?" I looked at the back of his head questioningly. He nodded.

"Here is your room." He stopped in front of a door.

I bowed to him, "thank you." I walked inside and shut the door. I heard his footsteps walking away, then I heard nothing. I set my katana and daggers against a wall, then I walked over to the blankets that were folded, and unfolded them. I laid them out on the floor and climbed under them. I turned onto my side and closed my eyes. Sesshomaru once again flashing to my mind. I should have asked him what it was that he smelled that drew him to my village. I let out a sigh, then fell asleep.

The next morning Genzo rushed to my room and threw open my door, startling me awake. I jolted up, my heart pounding inside of my chest. I turned to look at him about to yell at him for startling me like that, when I saw the frightened expression on his features. I calmed my racing heart and asked, "what's wrong, Genzo?"

"Lady Kasumi, a demon woman is outside of the barrier. She demands for you!" the old man cried out franticly.

My demeanor immediately became serious. I stood up and grabbed my katana and strapped it to my back. I grabbed my daggers next, strapping them to my thigh. Then I rushed passed the old man and to the entrance of the village. I saw a woman standing there. Her red eyes staring at me. "There you are." She smirked.

"What do you want with me?" I asked her.

"I want to test your strength. Now come out here and fight me or I will break this barrier and come after you!" She challenged me. I had my doubts that she would be able to break the barrier, but I did not want to put anyone in danger.

I walked outside of the barrier, "what is your name?"

"I am Kagura of the Wind" she smirked at me and pulled her fan out, hiding half of her face behind it.